(Chapter 7)

Jake was at the Sanctuary with Jasper. As he placed the child down, she collapsed on the ground forgetting how to use her legs. He knelt down and lifted her up. She was eye to eye with the Hero. He was instantly attached to the girls fighting spirit. He decided it was best to not keep the mother waiting any longer. He found Brightwall on the map. He grasped the girls hand and they both teleported to Brightwalls bridge. He picked the girl up again and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Almost there." Jake said.

"Mister? You saved me. I don't even know your name."

"How rude of me. Name's Jake." He smiled.

"Are you a magician?" She asked.

"You could say that."

"Where is my mommy?"

"She is around here somewhere. I need to look for my friend."

Jake was suddenly surrounded by a clamoring crowd.

"It is the missing girl!"

"I thought she was dead!"

Walter heard the distant chatter and raced out of the pub along with Christina. They could see a huge crowd gathered by the main gate. Walter began gently pushing through the sea of people eventually finding the middle of the crowd. Christina couldn't believe her eyes. There was Jake, if a little bloody, standing there smiling with the girl in his arms.

"Howdy!" Jake beamed.

Christina ran to Jake and she took her child she missed terribly.

"Momma! Momma!" She shouted.

Jake couldn't help feeling proud of himself. He smiled ear to ear.

"Jake! You lucky son of a gun! You did it!" Walter exclaimed.

"Yeah. I guess I did, didn't I?"

"You look bloody awful though. What in Avo's name happened up there?"

Jake had the events flood through his mind after just pushing them back. He remembered the harshest, unforgiving nature of humanity. But he also remembered that through all the bad sides there are also good sides.

"You don't really want to know, Walter. Believe me. I just want to turn in for the day and not come out of bed until I am rested."

"Then you wouldn't mind at least having a beer or two to celebrate?"

Walter said.

"No. I just want to sleep."

"Very well. There is a bathroom in the Sanctuary if you want to get cleaned up." Walter informed.

"Oh yes. That sounds great right now." Jake took the Guild Seal out and he was in the Sanctuary.

"Ah. Hello." Jasper's familiar voice chimed.

"Hi Jasper. Is there anyway you can draw me a bath? I need one right about now."

"Certainly! You deserve it. I shall start it at once." He started to the sleeper room.

"Thank you."

Jake heard a small bark behind him. He looked down and saw the puppy he rescued.

"Clearly Jasper was busy." He bent down and picked up the puppy.

"I have always wanted to have a dog. Now I guess it is finally happening."

Jake smiled at the small pup.

"What to name you...I never named anything before." He sat on the floor deep in thought.

"Maybe I will name you...Razor. It sounds like a good name." He said.

The puppy did a little dance.

"You seem to like it. Good."

A few moments later Jasper joined him in the main room.

"Your bath is ready, sir. I have also taken the liberty of setting out your clothes. I placed your prince coat along with the trousers and boots on the sink." Jasper said.

"Thank you Jasper. I need this." Jake stood up and began to walk to the bathroom.

"Your new animal friend seems to be attached to you."

"What?"

Jake looked down and saw the puppy at his feet. He crouched down again and rubbed behind his ear.

"I need to be alone for a while, friend. I will come back. I promise."

He continued to the bathroom. As he took a deep inhale, he smelled the clean scent of soap.

'Much better than gun smoke.' He thought.

He wasted no time and stripped naked. He walked past a mirror on the wall and he couldn't help stopping and admiring himself.

'Lookin' good.' He flexed a little. He looked down at his abdomen and noticed a huge bruise.

'Damn it.' He cursed and stepped into the bath tub. He slowly relaxed his tensed muscles with a sigh of relief.

'That's the stuff. Jasper always knows how I like my bath water.'

He sat and reflected what happened in the last couple days. He has been through one crazy ride once he found out he was a Hero. He wondered what strange things his father had to do to earn respect of his people. He shook his head deciding to not think of it. Once he was clean and dry he decided to not put on the prince outfit Jasper put out for him. He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked to the door but he creaked it open just wide enough to peek his head out. He didn't see Jasper or the puppy.

"Uh, Jasper? You around?" He asked. No response. Jake opened the door wider and snuck to the dressing room. Sneaking across the marble floor in his bare feet, he opened the door. He had the look of horror when he saw Jasper in it with Razor.

"Sir!" Jasper exclaimed, covering his eyes.

"Oh balls!" He slammed the door behind him.

"Is there something you need, sir?" Jasper asked Jake behind the door.

"Uh, yeah...Jasper. You mind handing me my pajamas? I need to rest." He told the butler.

"Certainly." A few moments he waited and Jasper cracked the door open. He stuck his arm out of the small space between the door and its frame. Jake grabbed the clothes and put them on.

"Okay Jasper. I am decent." He said.

Jasper opened the door and saw he put the night shirt and long johns on.

"Very good. I assume you need to take a nap then?"

"More than a nap. I am so tired I am not even thinking." He said over his shoulder once he reached the door. He opened the sleeper room and saw the bed, walking to it in a trance like state. He didn't even know Jasper followed him.

"I washed the sheets for you sir. I will place a do not disturb sign on the door as well."

"Thank you Jasper. But who will disturb me in the Sanctuary?"

"Just apart of my duties to keep you comfortable, sir."

He crawled on top of the bed. He didn't even bother laying under the blankets. Jasper sighed and pulled a fleece blanket from the small closet in the corner. He covered the already fast asleep hero.

"Good night sir."